Discover Your Design District

Family Friendly Design Tips

Kids may be fun, but they can also be hard on your home furnishings and decor. Of course, that doesn’t mean you need to banish children to their own rooms until they've outgrown their "drawing, chewing and climbing on everything" phase. In fact, family-friendly design can be as stylish as it is kid-proof. Let the shops and showrooms of the Dallas Design District show you how.

Furniture

Furniture is more than functional. It's an investment. The furniture you purchase should be sturdy enough to withstand decades of use. Your furniture should also be elegant enough to never go out of style. With all that in mind, remember that kids will probably crawl and jump all over your chairs, sofa etc. no matter how many times you tell them not to. (The floor is hot lava, after all.)

Knowing that, avoid placing coffee and side tables with sharp corners and edges in your family room. And upholster with fabrics whose patterns and prints are more likely to camouflage those inevitable spills and stains. While it may be tempting to cut costs (and corners), so-called "cheap furniture" will only have to be replaced sooner rather than later. In the long run, the more cost-effective choice is a piece of furniture with "good bones" that can occasionally be refreshed with new upholstery. Stop by the showroom at Lee Jofa to get some great ideas.

Storage

Being a small child can be frustrating — so many things are out of reach! Help out your little ones by keeping their toys, art supplies, clothes and other prized possessions close at hand. Attractive storage bins, boxes and baskets are a great way to keep any room from getting messy and cluttered. With a little imagination and a system, storage can also enhance your home’s decor. Discover the unique pieces available at Uncommon Market.

Floors

Durability is the name of the game when it comes to family-friendly design. Just make sure those durable designs are also easy to clean. Not every room in your home needs carpeting. Tile or wood flooring makes it much easier to mop up messes. You can even have the best of both worlds by installing woodgrain (or wood-look) porcelain tile. Then add accents in the form of rugs and runners made of jute, sisal or bamboo. These resilient materials stand up to all kinds of abuse. And remember that just because the manufacturer has marked their rug or mat "for outdoor use" doesn't mean it won't work indoors as well. Visit The Rug Company and browse their large selection of flooring options.

Accessories

The objects that fill your home — from framed prints to fine china — possess a timeless beauty. But little hands and feet can spoil that beauty in an instant. Save yourself hours of repeating “Don’t touch that!” as well as the hazards associated with cleaning up broken ceramic or glass by placing breakable pieces out of harm's way. Get creative with your use of mantles, floating shelves and display cases. You can even exhibit your kids' own masterpieces alongside the art you've so carefully curated. For even more inspiration, check out Uttermost's accessories and decorative items.

You don't have to wait until your nest is empty to make your home as stunning as it is livable. As with all matters family-related, a little compromise can yield huge rewards. Even better, your home's charming, family-friendly decor can provide lessons in both personal responsibility and art appreciation. After all, a home in which things are thoughtfully enjoyed is a home everyone in the family will love.